Neptun farende over havet. Titelblad til Fontenay, "Söe-Evolution"; København 1743 1743

Hans Henrich Christian Ulrich created this title page, "Neptun farende over havet," for Fontenay's "Söe-Evolution" in Copenhagen, 1743. The composition, vertically stacked, presents a scene teeming with classical figures and maritime elements, rendered in intricate detail through etching. This creates a textural richness that invites closer inspection. The artwork deploys a clear hierarchy, with Neptune dominating the center. He is flanked by a figure standing on a sea creature and a chariot pulled by sea horses. Above them, two classical figures float on clouds. The linear precision, achieved through etching, defines every element, from the waves to the musculature of Neptune. This structured arrangement and the classical subject matter reflect the period's interest in order and reason, aligning with broader philosophical pursuits of the Enlightenment. Ulrich employs classical iconography and a formal structure to convey ideas about maritime power and evolution. It is a structured vision of the sea which invites ongoing interpretation.